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Chiang Rai Province
Chiang Rai
Things to Do in Chiang Rai
Wat Huay Pla Kang
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Wat Huay Pla Kang

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See all things to do
Wat Huay Pla Kang
4.5
510
#5 of 77 things to do in Chiang Rai
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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44 within 3 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
510 reviews
Excellent
291
Very good
172
Average
40
Poor
5
Terrible
2
melkeet
Ipoh, Malaysia1,361 contributions
Beautiful Temple
Jan 2020
This is a Buddhist religious site with a big white stature of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It is situated north across the Kok River about 8.2 km from centre of town. There are three main buildings in the compound- the large white Quan Yin temple, a 9-tier pagoda and a white coloured temple.

You can reach the Quan Yin temple base by walking up the stairs, which are guarded by white dragons. There are quite a number of steps to walk up, therefore it’s advisable for those with walking difficulties, to take the free transport provides from the parking area.
Once you reach the base of the Quan Yin statue, you can go up to the 26th floor by an elevator after buying a ticket for 40 Baht. This payment is for the use of the elevator/Lift. Entrance to the temples here is however free. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by mesmerising glittering white sculptured work of art over the walls mainly depicting Quan Yin. You can have a good view from the top of the nearby surroundings.

The steps leading to the 9-tier pagoda are far less in number, than that at the Quan Yin temple, and is guarded by golden and green dragons. In this building, you can climb up the floors, one by one, while viewing the deities displayed at each of these floors. The other building here is a beautiful white coloured temple, with stairs again lined by amazing row of serpents. This building is stunningly beautiful and the background Buddhist chanting, in this temple, was mesmerizing.

There are toilets which are clean and well kept. The surrounding area is beautiful and well maintained. Allow at least 2 hours to enjoy the sights and photography here. The place is bound to be hot weather, therefore carry a hat, sun lotion and lots of water. Best to have your own transport or have somebody wait for you. I would rate this temple as a must visit in Chiang Rai, along with the White Temple and the Blue Temple. The Baan Dam museum is about 12 km away and the blue temple in 6.2 km.
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VivaHawaii
Honolulu, HI594 contributions
Must See...
Aug 2020
If you flew into Chiang Rai and had a left window seat, you saw the giant white statue during arrival. There are three main structures, a temple, a large pagoda, and a very large image of Quan Yin the goddess of mercy (the white statue). Now two days later my legs still ache from walking to the top of the pagoda but I do recommend it for the view from the top. The Quan Yin statue has an elevator (40 baht ticket) to the 26th floor and then steps to level 27, also well worth visiting. To get there it's best and easiest to get a taxi for around 300 baht round trip.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wingfield73
Chiang Mai, Thailand865 contributions
Wow!
Feb 2021
This is quite a place and the centrepiece is in fact the huge white statue of the Goddess of Mercy. There is a lift to the top and fine views of the city from the diadem in the head of the Goddess. Don't miss the many pure white sculptures inside the head either - their quality is excellent. Lift charge is 20 THB for Thais; 40 for foreigners but my pink Thai ID card got me in at the local price! A free shuttle bus will take you there from the car park.
Written February 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Madmax2013
Reykjavik, Iceland85 contributions
Definitely worth a trip if local
Jan 2020 • Couples
Not being in the remotest interested in religion etc I was sceptical about visiting. However we had an excellent visit and unrushed visit. Instead of doing this as part of a tour group with set timings, we just arrived by taxi and ended up staying quite a few hours. It’s modern, 2005 I believe, but in an interesting setting with the 3 different buildings to explore. The big white lady costs 40 bhat to go up in the lift. Definitely worth it and the inside is like an enormous iced cake, all white with sparking stones of dragons, mythical country people etc. A tad whimsical but it works and is worth the ride to the top. On entering the lift and arrival at the top one is greeted with a send off and hello by about 8 smartly red dressed & white capped military uniformed men and ladies in Thai dress. Not sure what that’s all about and can’t speak Thai. Maybe it translates as “may your god be with you, next elevator service due soon”. I think Dave Allen would have done a spoof sketch out of it! 🤣
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
i_buckley
Warrington, UK294 contributions
Quick stop
Jul 2022 • Family
If you’re in the area it’s worth a quick stop. It’s a new temple that I feel was more built to impress tourists with the large goddess statue than a religious site. Also like other temples no dress code enforced. It’s worth a visit though and if you are prepared to climb the steps then great views.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
j1954g
Tetbury, UK3,290 contributions
A lovely Guanyin temple - but save the kissing till later!
Jan 2020
Most visitors coming by plane will see this relatively modern temple from the air when arriving at, or departing from, Chiang Rai Airport, and it's well worth a visit from the town - just a short songthaew ride (the driver will wait for the duration of the visit).

We went a couple of times - once, just before sunset, and the next day, in the early morning. The light is good at these times, rather than in the middle of the day. On the second visit (the morning one) there were literally hundreds of monks at the temple; the contrast of the orange robes was stunning against the white temple structures and the blue sky.

There are quite a few stairs to climb in order to reach the foot of the large figure (of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion) but I think there is also a small road which winds around the the back of the figure. One can then take a lift up the interior of the figure to the top. I am not a great one for heights so "passed" on this, but did climb three flights of stairs in the pagoda, which gives a good view of the Guanyin.

Best not to show too much affection in the temple grounds; I saw a couple hugging and kissing on the flight of steps in front of Guanyin, who were screamed at by a local woman: "This is a SACRED place!"

Entrance is free.

Entry is free
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vratin Shah
Mumbai, India1,146 contributions
Not Big Buddha
Nov 2019
The Wat Huay Pla Kang is a Big Complex made in Chinese style. The complex is divided in three parts, a big goddess, the Wat and the pagoda. The parking area is huge and one can walk or use free shuttle service to visit the Big Goddess building. Please note, it is not Big Buddha, but some goddess from Chinese mythology. There is a fee to access the lift & visit to top of the Buddha. The inside is well built and architecture in Chinese style. The Music in background is pleasant & calming. The second part, the Wat. Also, there is a hall which offers free food to all including the locals and tourists. Our guide advised us to try the food, all the food was vegetarian and okay in taste. Lastly, the Pagoda, where the wooden goddess is located on base floor and one can take stairs to reach top floors.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EHinOz
Margate, Australia815 contributions
Beautiful attraction not far from town
Feb 2020
Huay Pla Kang Temple is another must see in Chiang Rai. The Big Buddha is seriously impressive and so is the adjacent pagoda, the latter most beautifully crafted. Less famous than either the White or Blue temples, Huay Pla Kang is definitely worthy of a visit.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SueAbleitinger
Johannesburg, South Africa26 contributions
Not to be missed
Feb 2020
We saw this temple from the airplane while coming in to land at Chiang Rai and it was already impesssive.
We took a taxi to our hotel and on the way did a stop-over at this temple. What an experience. A beautiful white Kwanyon Phusa temple, amazing row of serpents lining the stairs on either side and the few over the area is stgunning. I will go back to visit this temple the next time I visit Chiang Rai
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PamCanuck251Preston
Chorley, United Kingdom95 contributions
Excellent views, interesting buildings
Jan 2020
We were on motorcycles heading north out of Chiang Rai and decided to make a slight detour to see this, very glad we did. Good, safe parking for the bikes. A bit hot in our boots climbing the various staircases but worth the effort. Didn't bother with the lift (40thb) to go up the Buddah head as we had a long day ahead of us but the view was good from the terraces. Would suggest an early start if you want good photos as the light soon gets harsh.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Wat Huay Pla Kang, Chiang Rai

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